Grade 5
Georgia Department of Education
November 2014
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Assessment Guide
Assessment Guide
Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
SOCIAL STUDIES
Description of Test Format and Organization
The Georgia Milestones EOG assessment is primarily a criterion-referenced test, designed to provide
information about how well a student has mastered the grade-level state-adopted content standards in
Social Studies. Each student will receive one of four proficiency levels, depending on how well the
student has mastered the content standards. In addition to criterion-referenced information, the
Georgia Milestones measures will also include a limited sample of nationally norm-referenced items to
provide a signal of how Georgia students are achieving relative to their peers nationally. The normreferenced information provided is supplementary to the criterion-referenced proficiency designation
and will not be utilized in any manner other than to serve as a barometer of national comparison. Only
the criterion-referenced scores and proficiency designations will be utilized in the accountability metrics
associated with the assessment program (such as student growth measures, educator effectiveness
measures, or the CCRPI).
The Grade 5 Social Studies EOG assessment consists of a total of 75 selected-response items, 65 of
which are operational items (and contribute to a student’s criterion-referenced and/or norm-referenced
score) and 10 of which are field test items (newly written items that are being tried out and do not
contribute to the student’s score). The criterion-referenced score, and proficiency designation, is
comprised of 55 items, for a total of 55 points. Of the 65 operational items, 20 will be norm-referenced
and will provide a national comparison in the form of a national percentile rank. Ten of the items have
been verified as aligned to the course content standards by Georgia educators and will therefore
contribute to the criterion-referenced proficiency designation. The other 10 items will contribute only to
the national percentile rank and be provided as supplemental information. Only items that are aligned
to the state-adopted content standards will be utilized to inform the criterion-referenced score.
With the inclusion of the norm-referenced items, students may encounter items for which they have not
received direct instruction. These items will not contribute to the student’s criterion-referenced
proficiency designation; only items that align to the course content standards will contribute to the
criterion-referenced score. Students should be instructed to try their best should they ask about an item
that is not aligned to the content they have learned as part of the course.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Grade 5 Social Studies EOG Assessment Design
Description
Number of
Items
Points for CR1 Score
Points for NRT2
Feedback
CR Selected-Response Items
45
45
0
NRT Selected-Response Items
203
104
20
CR Field Test Items
10
0
0
Total Items/Points5
75
55
20
1CR—Criterion-Referenced:
2NRT—Norm-Referenced
items aligned to state-adopted content standards
Test: items that will yield a national comparison; may or may not be aligned to state-adopted content
standards
3Of these items, 10 will contribute to both the CR scores and NRT feedback. The other 10 of these items will contribute to NRT
feedback only and will not impact the student’s proficiency designation, scale score, or grade conversion.
4Alignment of national NRT items to course content standards was verified by a committee of Georgia educators. Only
approved, aligned NRT items will contribute to a student’s CR proficiency designation, scale score, and grade conversion score.
5Total number of items contributing to CR score: 55; total points: 55; total number of items contributing to NRT feedback: 20;
total points: 20
The test will be given in two sections. Students may have up to 70 minutes per section to complete
Sections 1 and 2. The total estimated testing time for the Grade 5 Social Studies EOG assessment ranges
from approximately 100 to 140 minutes. Total testing time describes the amount of time students have
to complete the assessment. It does not take into account the time required for the test examiner to
complete pre-administration and post-administration activities (such as reading the standardized
directions to students). Sections 1 and 2 must be scheduled to be administered on the same day in one
test session following the district’s testing protocols for the EOG measures (in keeping with state
guidance).
Content Measured
The Grade 5 Social Studies assessment will measure the standards that are enumerated for Grade 5 as
described on www.georgiastandards.org.
The content of the assessment is organized into four groupings, or domains, of standards for the
purposes of providing feedback on student performance. A content domain is a reporting category that
broadly describes and defines the content of the course, as measured by the EOG assessment. The
standards for Grade 5 Social Studies are grouped into four domains: History, Geography, Government
and Civics, and Economics. Each domain was created by organizing standards that share similar content
characteristics. The content standards describe the level of expertise that Grade 5 Social Studies
educators should strive to develop in their students. Educators should refer to the content standards for
a full understanding of the knowledge, concepts, and skills subject to be assessed on the EOG
assessment.
The approximate proportional number of points associated with each domain is shown in the following
table. A range of cognitive levels will be represented on the Grade 5 Social Studies EOG assessment.
Educators should always use the content standards when planning instruction.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Grade 5 Social Studies: Domain Structures and Content Weights
Domain
History
Geography
Government and Civics
Economics
Standard
SS5H1
SS5H6
(1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e)
(6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e,
SS5H2
6f)
(2a,2 b,2c)
SS5H7
SS5H3
(7a, 7b, 7c)
(3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e)
SS5H8
SS5H4
(8a, 8b, 8c, 8d)
(4a, 4b)
SS5H9
SS5H5
(9a, 9b)
(5a, 5b, 5c)
SS5G1
(1a, 1b)
SS5G2
(2a, 2b)
SS5CG1
(1a, 1b, 1c)
SS5CG3
SS5CG2
(3a, 3b)
(2a, 2b)
SS5E1
SS5E3
(1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f)
(3a, 3b, 3c)
SS5E2
SS5E4
(2a, 2b, 2c, 2d)
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Approximate
Weight
50%
15%
20%
15%
Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item Types
The Social Studies portion of the Grade 5 EOG assessment consists of selected-response items only.
A selected-response item, sometimes called a multiple-choice item, is defined as a question, problem, or
statement that appears on a test followed by several answer choices, sometimes called options or
response choices. The incorrect choices, called distractors, usually reflect common errors. The student’s
task is to choose, from the alternatives provided, the best answer to the question posed in the stem (the
question). The Social Studies selected-response items will have four answer choices.
Social Studies Example Items
Example items, which are representative of three DOK levels across various Grade 5 Social Studies
content domains, are provided on the following pages. All example and sample items contained in this
guide are the property of the Georgia Department of Education.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Example Item 1
DOK Level: 1
Social Studies Grade 5 Content Domain: History
Standard: SS5H4. The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I
America. b. Describe the cultural developments and individual contributions in the 1920s of the Jazz Age
(Louis Armstrong), the Harlem Renaissance (Langston Hughes), baseball (Babe Ruth), the automobile
(Henry Ford), and the airplane (Charles Lindbergh).
What was Babe Ruth known for in the 1920s?
A
B
C
D
being a World War I hero
being a popular jazz musician
being a famous baseball player
being an African American poet
Correct Answer: C
Explanation of Correct Answer: The correct answer is choice (C) being a famous baseball player. Babe
Ruth was a popular outfielder for the New York Yankees in the 1920s. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are
incorrect because Ruth was not a war hero, a jazz musician, or an African American poet.
Example Item 2
DOK Level: 2
Social Studies Grade 5 Content Domain: History
Standard: SS5H4. The student will describe U.S. involvement in World War I and post-World War I
America. a. Explain how German attacks on U.S. shipping during the war in Europe (1914-1917)
ultimately led the U.S. to join the fight against Germany; include the sinking of the Lusitania and
concerns over safety of U.S. ships, U.S. contributions to the war, and the impact of the Treaty of
Versailles in 1919.
Which of these events caused the United States to join the fight against Germany in World War I?
A
B
C
D
the sinking of the Lusitania
the attack on the Eastern Front
the signing of the Treaty of Versailles
the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Correct Answer: A
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Explanation of Correct Answer: The correct answer is choice (A) the sinking of the Lusitania. The British
ocean liner Lusitania was attacked and sunk by German forces on May 7, 1915, killing more than 1,000
people, including more than 100 Americans. The attack sparked a public outcry in the United States and
eventually led to U.S. entry into World War I. Choice (B) is incorrect because, although this event took
place during World War I, it did not cause the United States to join the fight. Choice (C) is incorrect
because the Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty that helped end the war. Choice (D) is incorrect
because, although this event was the catalyst for World War I, it did not cause the United States to join
the fight.
Example Item 3
DOK Level: 2
Social Studies Grade 5 Content Domain: Government/Civics
Standard: SS5CG1. The student will explain how a citizen’s rights are protected under the U.S.
Constitution. a. Explain the responsibilities of a citizen.
Which action describes a responsibility of being a United States citizen?
A
B
C
D
running for elected office
expressing an opinion freely
serving as a member of a jury
attending weekly religious services
Correct Answer: C
Explanation of Correct Answer: The correct answer is choice (C) serving as a member of a jury. Serving
on a jury is a responsibility of all eligible U.S. citizens. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are incorrect because
these are rights that U.S. citizens may choose to exercise but are not required to do so.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Example Item 4
DOK Level: 3
Social Studies Grade 5 Content Domain: Geography
Standard: SS5G2. The student will explain the reasons for the spatial patterns of economic activities. b.
Locate primary agricultural and industrial locations since the turn of the 20th century and explain how
factors such as population, transportation, and resources have influenced these areas.
Look at the bar graph.
Which is a reason the population in these three cities changed between 1870 and 1920?
A
B
C
D
Free farmland was provided to settlers.
Many men went overseas to fight in wars.
New industries provided jobs for people.
Fewer immigrants moved to these areas.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation of Correct Answer: The correct answer is choice (C) New industries provided jobs for
people. The growth of new industries in the United States caused many people to move into cities to
work at factories. Choice (A) is incorrect because people moved into urban areas rather than rural areas.
Choice (B) is incorrect because soldiers going overseas would not cause a growth in city populations.
Choice (D) is incorrect because more immigrants moved to cities.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Example Item 5
DOK Level: 3
Social Studies Grade 5 Content Domain: Economics
Standard: SS5E1. The student will use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost,
specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events. a.
Describe opportunity costs and their relationship to decision-making across time (such as decisions to
ration goods during WWII).
Read the information in the box.
Examples of Items Rationed in the United States during World War II
Eggs—One per day allowed
Shoes—One pair per year allowed
Meat—Six ounces per day allowed
Cheese—Four ounces per day allowed
Gasoline—Four gallons per week allowed
Which of these describes an opportunity cost of the United States government's decision to ration
items during World War II?
A
B
C
D
There were fewer goods available for the public to buy.
There was a shortage of supplies available to the military.
It became less expensive for the public to buy most products.
Companies that produced rationed goods went out of business.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation of Correct Answer: The correct answer is choice (A) There were fewer goods available for
the public to buy. An opportunity cost is the cost or risk of making a certain economic decision. By
setting aside items to ration to the public, the government made fewer of those items available to sell to
consumers. Choices (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect because they do not describe effects of the
government's decision to ration items.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Social Studies Additional Sample Items
This section has two parts. The first part is a set of 10 sample items for the Social Studies portion of the
EOG assessment. The second part contains a table that shows for each item the standard assessed, the
DOK level, the correct answer (key), and a rationale/explanation about the key and distractors. The
sample items can be utilized as a mini-test to familiarize students with the item formats found on the
assessment. All example and sample items contained in this guide are the property of the Georgia
Department of Education.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item 1
Read the information in the box.



automobile
computers
Internet
What was an effect of these technological advancements?
A
B
C
D
The quality of goods decreased.
There was an increase in business productivity.
There was an increase in the cost of products.
The number of people who could afford goods decreased.
Item 2
Which of these is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?
A
B
C
D
the right to vote
the right to own land
the right to travel between states
the right to petition the government
Item 3
Which of these was an accomplishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority?
A
B
C
D
It improved tourism by building hotels.
It brought electricity to thousands of people.
It taught workers how to organize unions.
It provided a police force for large urban areas.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item 4
Look at the map.
Which body of water is shown by the arrow on the map?
A
B
C
D
the Great Salt Lake
the Gulf of Mexico
the Mississippi River
the Salton Sea
Item 5
Which of these was an effect of the Voting Rights Act?
A
B
C
D
It changed the way senators are elected.
It lowered the age at which people can vote.
It provided protections for people registering to vote.
It changed the way the president and vice president are elected.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item 6
In 1946, Winston Churchill used the term “Iron Curtain” when describing conditions in Europe. What
did he mean by this term?
A
B
C
D
European nations needed to build more factories.
Peace had finally spread throughout the countries of Europe.
The militaries of Western Europe were becoming too powerful.
There was a division between communist Eastern Europe and Western Europe.
Item 7
Look at the chart.
Which of these completes the empty box in the chart?
A
B
C
D
by the president
by the Supreme Court
by three-fourths of the state legislatures
by three-fourths of the members of both the House and the Senate
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item 8
Read the information in the box.



signed at the end of World War I
required Germany to pay Allies for damages caused by the war
required Germany to reduce the size of its military
Which of these is described in the box?
A
B
C
D
the New Deal
the United Nations
the Treaty of Versailles
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Item 9
Read the information in the box.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
—Excerpt from a poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty
Written by Emma Lazarus, 1883
Based on the excerpt, what did America MOST LIKELY represent to most immigrants during the early
1900s?
A
B
C
D
a chance to become famous
a way to have personal freedom
a means to receive better housing
an opportunity for government leadership
Item 10
Which of these BEST describes the function of private business?
A
B
C
D
to maintain the security of citizens
to provide services through taxation
to produce goods and services for the public
to provide savings and investment opportunities to the public
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Social Studies Additional Sample Item Keys
Item
Standard/
Element
DOK Level
Correct
Answer
1
SS5E1f
2
B
2
SS5CG1b
1
D
3
SS5H5b
2
B
4
SS5G1a
1
A
5
SS5H8b
2
C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice (B) There was an
increase in business productivity. Technological
advancements such as computers and the
Internet allowed workers and businesses to
work much more quickly and effectively.
Choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because
the technological advancements had the
opposite effect of those stated.
The correct answer is choice (D) the right to
petition the government. The First Amendment
to the U.S. the Constitution establishes the
right to petition the government. Choices (A),
(B), and (C) are incorrect because the Bill of
Rights does not specifically establish these
rights.
The correct answer is choice (B) It brought
electricity to thousands of people. The
Tennessee Valley Authority was created in 1933
by the U.S. government to help produce
electrical power along the Tennessee River.
Choices (A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because
the TVA did not build hotels, organize unions,
or provide a police force.
The correct answer is choice (A) the Great Salt
Lake. The Great Salt Lake, the largest salt-water
lake in the Western Hemisphere, is located in
Utah. Choices (B) and (C) are incorrect because
these bodies of water are located further east.
Choice (D) is incorrect because the Salton Sea is
located in California.
The correct answer is choice (C) It provided
protections for people registering to vote. The
Voting Rights Act of 1965 was mainly designed
to prevent discrimination against African
American voters and to protect their voting
rights under the Fifteenth Amendment. Choices
(A) and (D) are incorrect because the Voting
Rights Act does not address how certain
officials are elected. Choice (B) is incorrect
because the 26th Amendment, not the Voting
Rights Act, lowered the voting age to 18.
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Georgia Milestones Grade 5 EOG Assessment Guide | Social Studies
Item
Standard/
Element
DOK Level
Correct
Answer
6
SS5H7a
2
D
7
SS5CG2a
3
C
8
SS5H4a
2
C
9
SS5H3d
3
B
10
SS5E2b
2
C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice (D) There was a
division between communist Eastern Europe
and Western Europe. The term "Iron Curtain"
was meant to emphasize the political barrier
between Eastern and Western Europe. Choice
(A) is incorrect because the term does not refer
to factories or industry. Choice (B) is incorrect
because the countries of Europe were in
conflict. Choice (C) is incorrect because the
term does not refer to militaries.
The correct answer is choice (C) by threefourths of the state legislatures. A
constitutional amendment can be ratified
either by state ratifying conventions in threefourths of the states or by three-fourths of the
state legislatures. Choices (A), (B), and (D) are
incorrect because these are not ways to ratify
constitutional amendments.
The correct answer is choice (C) the Treaty of
Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles was a peace
treaty signed at the end of World War I that
required Germany to reduce the size of its
military and to pay the Allied Powers for
damages caused by the war. Choices (A), (B),
and (D) are incorrect because the phrases in
the list do not describe the New Deal, the
United Nations, or the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
The correct answer is choice (B) a way to have
personal freedom. The poem suggests that the
United States is willing to take in immigrants
who are sick, poor, or disadvantaged and offer
them an opportunity for a better life. Choices
(A), (C), and (D) are incorrect because the poem
does not refer specifically to fame, housing, or
government leadership roles.
The correct answer is choice (C) to produce
goods and services for the public. Private
businesses produce goods and services for
public consumers to buy. Choices (A) and (D)
are incorrect because they do not describe
functions or responsibilities of private
businesses. Choice (B) is incorrect because it
describes a function of the government.
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